"He Looked Fine"... Why Oh Hyeon-gyu's Winning Goal Was Even More Surprising

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Oh Hyeon-gyu, the hero of the winning goal, overcame a high fever that reached 38°C (100°F) before the match to deliver a dramatic strike. Four years ago, during the Qatar World Cup, he was an alternate player without even a jersey number, but he has since grown steadily to become a key player for the national team.

Bae Jung-hoon reports.

[Reporter]

Oh Hyeon-gyu, whose participation was uncertain due to a sudden high fever before the match,

[Oh Hyeon-gyu/National Football Team Forward: After lunch, my fever suddenly spiked, and I had many thoughts about whether I would even be able to play...]

poured everything he had into the game after being substituted in the 24th minute of the second half.

And just 11 minutes later, he delivered a dramatic strike.

When Hwang In-beom sent a cross after receiving a long pass from Paik Seung-ho, Oh charged forward and connected with a non-stop left-footed shot. The ball deflected off the goalkeeper and became the go-ahead goal.

Oh, who completed his World Cup debut with a goal on his very first shot, celebrated with emotion and shared the joy with his teammates.

[Oh Hyeon-gyu/National Football Team Forward: I think it's a feeling that can't be explained in words. As a striker, I'm relieved and grateful that I could contribute to the victory by scoring.]

Four years ago, Oh was an alternate player without a jersey number. Since then, he has advanced to the European stage, grown rapidly, and proudly stepped onto the World Cup stage wearing the number 18 jersey. Despite his sudden poor physical condition, he did not give up and achieved his dream.

[Oh Hyeon-gyu/National Football Team Forward: I wonder if I was sick today just so I could score that goal. I think my individual skills have grown a lot, and I had the confidence that I could score.]

Having proven himself as a core asset to the national team, Oh is now setting his sights on the next match against Mexico.

[Oh Hyeon-gyu/National Football Team Forward: We will maintain the good momentum from today's victory and remain humble. Since (the next match) is in Mexico's home territory, we will analyze the opponent well and prepare thoroughly to give 100% or more of what we are capable of.]

(Video coverage: Hwang In-seok, Video editing: Park Chun-bae)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.